If you took the pedantic stance that all forms of revivalism are irrelevant, you could make the case against Yowda and Y.G.’s “That’s How it Goes.” In a way, this is no different from the Joey Badassery “Yo, let’s take it back to 95” ethos prevalent on the East Coast. But there’s a thin line […]

I’ve spent a significant part of the last few years taking the death of gangster rap for granted. The narrative that I’ve run with tracks the rise in popularity of artists like (duh) Kanye West, the explicitly fake Rick Ross, and Drake, and the concurrent fall of Young Jeezy, the disappearance of 50 Cent, the […]

Abe Beame heard that you look like MC Hammer on crack. Everyone’s talking about YG and DJ Mustard’s Compton throwback, My Krazy Life and its standout track, “Meet the Flockers”. In the song, YG gives us a brief overview on the fine points of home invasion. The song is glorious, but it’s hardly the first […]

Gifts include DJ Quik and Too Short records and a Boyz in the Hood tee. Y.G. breaks down why he needs six hotel suites and why Benihana is a superior Hibachi dining experience. In return, he gives Nardwuar signed posters, tickets to the concert, and a promise to turn-up. Doc Zeus’ review is still here. […]

Doc Zeus is from Bleveland. If your only contact with rap music was through the lunatic rantings of Bill O’Reilly (who reflexively equates “rapper” with “criminal”), you might not know that the influence of gangster rap has declined during the last decade. The transformative success of eclectic, “middle-class” artists such as Kanye West and Drake […]

Max Bell wants to drink sake. Ty Dolla $ign (Ty$) buys his women the same red bottoms and the same perfume. It’s the smart move: if anyone asks, you only have to remember one set of gifts. He also only considers taking a woman to the movies if the head is right. That’s just being […]

The best defense for liking a rap song is, it’s fun. Of course, fun is subjective. People have been trying to tell me that French Montana is fun, but I find his music as boring as watching grass groan. Neither Y.G. nor Joe Moses are about to dazzle anyone at any point with anything resembling […]

YG is more like Chief Keef than anyone gives him credit. He’s Blood affiliated and was fresh from county jail the first time I ever interviewed him. His strengths are everything but lyricism and he owes a significant amount of his success to working with an innovative producer (J-Hawk and now Mustard). He shouts “4Hunnid.” […]

Deen’s been sleeping so much he started getting carded again. Hola. Hope you enjoyed the holidays. I didn’t – being crippled and all, but that ain’t your problem. Guess it’s back to the grind again for all of us. And by “all of us” that means Gangsta Gibbs too. You must have been insane to […]

Max Bell is LL Cool J’s grandson. You may or may not say no to ratchet pussy. It’s no secret that Juicy J can’t. He doesn’t apologize for it. He has no qualms with all that comes with the cheek clapping. He pops bands and revels in the ratchet  On the flip side, LL Cool […]